Lori Zsacaruk from Zac Tracs, an avalanche and snow vehicle classroom training course designed for operators of all terrain vehicles and off road vehicles, spoke to the students of the Mother Teresa school on Tuesday. It is a safe rider program focusing on the do’s and don’t’s while riding on snow mobiles, quads and side-by-sides. Students are given tips to prevent accidents, the use of proper safety gear as well as recognize where and when to ride. The same principles apply to the operation of farm machinery. Zacs teaches life saving skills with information to make better decisions. The session lasted for 2,5 hours with all the students attending.

Fun spiel held recently in Endiang was well attended, participating from Halkirk were Anne Neilson, Adolf Heier, Wendy Ashbacher and Rose Koenraadt. They all played on separate teams.

Village staff held their Christmas party this year in Heisler, where they enjoyed a very good meal recommending the café to anyone.

Our students are participating in the Silent Santa program through the Castor and district FCSS. They would appreciate unwrapped gifts of toys or clothing. The community can also take part in this program.

Basketball practises are starting with Kevin Perry and Tracey Turre as coaches. There will be a girls’ team and possibly the boys will be able to field a team. Most games are played against teams from Hwy 12 East.

We extend sympathy to Joanne Wiechnik and family on the passing of her husband Jerry on Nov. 20 in Edmonton. Jerry was employed by the Town of Castor until his retirement. Joanne, whose parents lived north of Halkirk, had been part of the Castor and district FCSS and now works out of the Stettler office.

Maxine Baird and Debby Hronek are coaching the Gus Wetter girls high school basketball team again this year. Four girls from Halkirk, Katelyn Dahmer, Tiana Gamroth, Halley Grice and Maddie Schauer are on the team. Halkirk boys playing on the Gus Wetter basketball team are Liam Grice, McGuire Kent, Simon Muncy and Lief Neufeld.

The Engel family gathered in Stettler on Saturday at the home of Rae-anne Cordel and Mark Smith for an early Christmas celebration. Present were most of the families of Don and Kjerene from Leduc, Doris and Dennis and Wayne all of Halkirk and Dianne of Didsbury. Joined by some extended family, they were a total of 29, and everyone contributed to the meal with lots of left overs. It proved to be great travelling weather.

Coming up: Dec. 6 – Elks’ annual breakfast with Santa – In Hall from 9 to 11 a.m.; Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 – Ham and Turkey Bingo commencing at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15 – Mother Teresa Christmas concert at the school at 7 p.m.; Dec. 17 – Students party at the Circle Square and last day of school till Jan. 4. With a lot going on, the seniors’ Christmas supper is going to be held in January, but a regular pot luck will be on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.